A senior defense official noted today that the recent Hamas attack on Israel from Gaza represents a heightened level of violence compared to previous incidents. President Joe Biden, in an official statement, expressed sorrow over the casualties, including the deaths of hundreds of Israelis and 11 Americans. Additionally, he mentioned instances of Hamas terrorists kidnapping individuals within Israel and relocating them to Gaza.
While acknowledging that they are still working to confirm details, President Biden expressed concern that American citizens may be among those held captive by Hamas. He has instructed his team to collaborate closely with their Israeli counterparts on all aspects of the hostage situation, encompassing intelligence sharing and deploying experts from various U.S. government agencies to provide counsel on hostage recovery efforts.
The senior defense official emphasized the unprecedented brutality of the Hamas attack, comparing it to the savagery associated with ISIS. The violence has resulted in the destruction of homes and the tragic loss of young lives at events like music festivals. Since the attack on Saturday, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has been resolute in affirming the unequivocal support of the United States for Israel’s right to self-defense. The National Security Council, led by Austin, has been reaching out to allies and partners across the Middle East and Europe to convey this message. Furthermore, they have warned potential adversaries against exploiting the instability in the region to escalate the conflict.
Secretary Austin held discussions with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the weekend to stay updated on the operational situation and identify Israel’s defense requirements. The United States is intensifying its support for Israel by providing air defense systems and munitions. Continuous communication with Israeli counterparts is maintained to promptly fulfill their urgent equipment needs. The Defense Department is also collaborating with U.S. industry to expedite the delivery of military equipment previously ordered by Israel. Moreover, they are assessing available U.S. inventories to swiftly meet Israel’s requirements.
The United States is reinforcing its presence in the region. The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, equipped with an airwing and accompanying cruisers and destroyers, has been deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. This force will carry out maritime and air operations to reassure allies and partners in the region and maintain regional stability. It is prepared for a wide range of missions. Additionally, more U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft, including F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10, are being dispatched to squadrons in the area.
These actions serve as tangible evidence of the United States’ unwavering support for Israel’s defense and send a clear message of deterrence to entities like Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, and other regional proxies considering exploiting the current situation to escalate conflict.
While Iran’s involvement is suspected, there is no concrete proof of its active participation. However, it is acknowledged that Iran has provided long-standing support to groups like Hamas and Hezbollah in terms of equipment, training, and guidance, contributing to instability and violence across the region. Specific intelligence details are not disclosed in this statement, but the role of Iran in these activities has been a consistent concern for years.
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